Howard Stern backs down from Gabourey Sidibe pot shot

Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe quickly became a decoy for shock jock Howard Stern.

The unpopular Stern tore into the newcomer star of Precious, calling her "enormous", on his Monday Sirius radio show. He also attacked her ardent supporter Oprah Winfrey.

Stern continued: "Everyone's pretending she's a part of show business and she's never going to be in another movie. She should have gotten the Best Actress award because she's never going to have another shot. What movie is she gonna be in?"

He later defended the tirade, saying it was meant to address the hot topic of obesity in America, ninemsn reports.